Dia de los Muertos Created and presented by Mr. Ruben

Dia de los Muertos November 2nd Day of the Dead is a holiday (or festival) when family members who have died are remembered. In Mexico, this festival is considered to be the most important holiday of the year. It is a period full of life, happiness, color, food, family, and fun.

Outdoor markets sell many symbolic goods, such as special breads, flowers, pottery, baskets, candles, paper puppets, candy skulls, etc. The main symbols of this holiday are skulls and skeletons. Marigolds-"flower of the dead” believed to attract the souls and draw them back.

Sugar Skulls Mexico, abundant in sugar production and too poor to buy fancy imported European church decorations, learned quickly from the friars how to make sugar art for their religious festivals. Sugar skulls represent a departed soul and honor the return of a particular spirit. Sugar skulls are labor intensive and made in very small batches in the homes of sugar skull makers. These wonderful artisans are disappearing as fabricated and imported candy skulls take their place.

Sugar Skull Clay Relief Relief = means to RAISE Skulls should include several elements that are raised above (3D) the background plan. Painted designs are in addition to these areas.

Why Skulls? The skull is about the most important symbol in Mexican Day of the Dead Culture, because it symbolizes the soul. The idea is that just as the bones remain after the flesh has been rotted away, the soul remains after the body is discarded.

Origins of The Day of the Dead The Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico developed from ancient traditions among its pre-Columbian cultures. Rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors had been observed by these civilizations perhaps for as long as 2,500–3,000 years. The festival that developed into the modern Day of the Dead fell in the ninth month of the Aztec calendar, about the beginning of August, and was celebrated for an entire month

After the Spanish conquest of Mexico: The Catholic faith was introduced to the native people of Mexico by the Spanish; many of the old religious festivals and celebrations were incorporated into the new Christian religion of Mexico; The Day of the Dead became a fusion of Catholic and Pre-Columbian practices, celebrated 2 days after All Saints' Eve (commonly known today as Halloween!)

What are some characteristics of these designs?

Pattern Line and Shape

Vibrant Colors Black outlines

Symbols

Now, you are going to create your own skull for Día de los Muertos! Based on what you have learned and seen in this PowerPoint, draw and color your own skull for The Day of the Dead!

Sources of Inspiration for your Skull Aztec Patterns Bright Colors and Shapes Animals and Nature of Mexico Intricate Line Designs Symbols of personal importance Geometric patterns